First started in 2013, the day is a fun-filled reminder that you don’t always need digital entertainment to enjoy yourself: a great time can always be had with good company and a creative, well-designed “analog” game.
Local gaming community KakiTabletop will join in this global tribute to strategy and competition, by holding a two-day event dedicated to tabletop games from today till June 2.
“This is a day to celebrate a pastime that has been played for centuries, touching the lives of millions around the world. It’s a global celebration for all analog gamers, who will be hanging out, playing new games and making new friends,” KakiTabletop founder and curator Gray Ham told FMT Lifestyle.
According to Ham, all four major tabletop game genres (Board Games, Miniature Games, Role Playing Games and Trading Card Games) will be represented by their own quadrant at the event.
Both local and international games will be represented, and everyone, from game newbies to experts, are invited to try them out.
The event is sponsored by Great Eastern Mall, and curated by KakiTabletop and friends. Entry is free and unticketed, although certain workshops and sessions require pre-registration and a small fee to play.
“These games are a great way to unwind and rest your eyes from shiny digital screens. They offer less time pressure than other forms of “exciting entertainment”, which is good for your mental health. Good company is also good for the soul,” Ham said.
Visitors can marvel at the bounteous wares on display from an assortment of local vendors, including Plastics & Tactics, Naga Minis, Hobby Heresy Games, Scrapscapes, Here Be Dragons, Nightshade Tavern, Wither & Bloom, Stormgate Games, and more.
Vivae Games Ampang will be bringing a host of modern board games for the public to play, experience, or buy: these include Dungeon Madness & Mayhem, That Sound Game, Mooncake Master, Wok & Roll, Durian Dash, and more.
Those seeking spaces for gameplay can also check out Akida’s locally designed and manufactured bespoke board gaming tables.
There will also be many miniature games to enjoy, Ham added. Plastics & Tactics will feature various aspects of the hobby: from painting, the lore, and wargaming; while Naga Minis will showcase their latest catalogue of Malaysian-designed miniatures. There will also be painting workshops, with assistance from Paint Masters.
The event will also feature roleplaying game sessions, hosted by Game Masters from Here Be Dragons and Nightshade Tavern. Both pre-booked and walk-in sessions are available, and beginner-friendly.
Collektr, Asia’s premier livestream bidding platform for collectibles, will feature trading card games (TCGs) such as Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon TCG, Lorcana TCG, Star Wars: Unlimited, One Piece TCG, and more.
They will showcase their livestreaming portal alongside game demonstrations and learn-to-play sessions from Game Masters from The Collective, Boards & Brews, My Collectibles, and Stormgate Games.
Ham’s advice for visitors? Come early, and try to experience all four game genres!
“Even if you don’t get to play everything, we’re generally open to spectators. Talk to a host and join our community online. And share your experiences on social media, because you’ll never know, one of your friends online might also be looking for a fellow kaki tabletop!” Ham concluded.
International Tabletop Day in Malaysia
Entrance: Free
Date: June 1-2
Venue: Concourse, Great Eastern Mall, 303, Jln Ampang, Desa Pahlawan, 55000 Kuala Lumpur
For more information, visit KakiTabletop’s website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.